PM Modi Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore R&D Fund at ESTIC 2025 to Fuel India’s Innovation Future
At the Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave, the Prime Minister unveils a transformative scheme to boost private-sector-led research and deep-tech development
A New Era for Indian Science and Innovation
In a major push for India’s research and innovation ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam on November 3.
The event, poised as a landmark moment in India’s science landscape, saw the launch of the ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund aimed at revolutionizing the way research and development (R&D) is conducted across the country.
The RDI Scheme: Scale, Vision and Impact
The newly launched RDI Scheme Fund has a bold ambition—to catalyse private-sector-led R&D and accelerate India’s transition into a knowledge economy.
- Fund Size: ₹1 lakh crore over six years
- Initial Allocation: ₹20,000 crore for FY 2025-26
- Funding Source: Drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India
Instead of traditional grants or short-term loans, the scheme will focus on:
- Long-term zero or low-interest loans
- Equity investments
- Contributions to the Deep-Tech Fund of Funds
This innovative structure ensures sustainable financing while encouraging private enterprises, startups, and institutions to take bold research bets.
What PM Modi Said
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi shared his enthusiasm:
“Let’s talk science and innovation! At around 9:30 AM, will inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam. This forum will bring together key stakeholders from the world of science, education, research and more… It’s a matter of immense joy that the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund will also be launched, giving an impetus to several researchers across India.”
The message reflects a clear policy pivot—empowering India’s scientific community with the tools and capital it needs to drive global impact.
ESTIC 2025: Conclave Overview
Running from November 3 to 5, ESTIC 2025 is expected to host over 3,000 participants, including:
- Nobel Laureates
- Eminent scientists
- Academic leaders
- Industry innovators
- Policymakers and young researchers
The conclave focuses on 11 thematic areas critical to India’s strategic and scientific future:
- Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bio-Manufacturing
- Blue Economy
- Digital Communications
- Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Emerging Agriculture Technologies
- Energy
- Environment and Climate
- Health and Medical Technologies
- Quantum Science and Space Technologies
The platform includes talks, panel discussions, tech showcases, and networking sessions to foster cross-sector collaboration and idea exchange.
Why This Matters: A Systemic Shift
This initiative marks a systemic departure from grant-heavy funding models, signaling:
- A greater role for private capital and industry partnerships
- A stronger focus on applied R&D and commercialization
- Policy commitment to deep-tech and frontier innovation
The long-term nature of the fund also ensures predictability, enabling Indian researchers and startups to undertake high-risk, high-reward projects.
Implications for the Indian Economy
The RDI scheme aligns with India’s vision to become a global science and technology hub:
- Boosting IP generation
- Creating high-tech jobs
- Attracting foreign investment
- Strengthening national tech sovereignty
As global innovation becomes increasingly competitive, such initiatives could place India at the forefront of deep-tech development.
In Summary
PM Modi’s launch of the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund at ESTIC 2025 reflects a transformative shift in India’s science and technology policy—one that bets big on private-sector innovation, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and long-term scientific vision.
With global talent converging at Bharat Mandapam, this conclave may well mark the dawn of a new innovation economy in India.
